Is Redmond, OR Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Yes, Redmond tap water is safe to drink. Hardness is low at 40 PPM, and no contaminants exceed health guidelines. Most homes here don't need treatment.
Hardness Scale: Where Redmond Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Redmond Compares
Redmond's water is 71% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 76% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within Oregon, it ranks #5 of 48 cities (60% above the state average of 25 PPM). Among smaller cities, Redmond ranks #188 of 288 for hardness.
What Redmond's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 40 PPM - Low Concern
Redmond's water is slightly hard at 40 PPM. Most households won't notice any issues at this level. Scale buildup is minimal, and a water softener would be overkill. Redmond is softer than 76% of US cities. If you're thinking about water treatment, contaminant filtration is where to focus your money, not softening.
Contaminants & Safety
Beyond hardness, Redmond's water is within EPA guidelines for regulated contaminants. Chlorine is relatively low at 0.8 mg/L. That said, 6 contaminants exceed EWG's stricter health guidelines — these are legal but worth understanding.. Want the full picture? Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for neighborhood-level data.
What's in the Treatment Process
Chromium-6 is naturally present in Redmond's aquifer geology at 1.23 ppb — 62x the EWG health guideline. There's no federal legal limit for chromium-6 specifically (only total chromium), which is why EWG tracks it separately. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 40 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 63 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 0 ppt | — | No total limit | ✓ ND |
| ↳ PFOA | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| ↳ PFOS | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| Lead | 3.1 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 0.8 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 0.642 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Good news for Redmond residents. Your water quality is generally good. Most homes in this area do not need a water softener. If you have concerns about lead (especially in buildings constructed before 1986) or chlorine taste, a point-of-use filter is the most practical and cost-effective solution.
How to Test Your Water in Redmond
City-wide data is a solid starting point, but your specific tap might differ based on plumbing age, distance from the treatment plant, or seasonal changes.
Free option: Request City of Redmond Water's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Redmond's Water Supply
Water Utility: City of Redmond Water
Water Source: Deschutes River & wells (Groundwater)
Population Served: 37,566
Hardness: 40 PPM (2.3 grains per gallon)
Redmond draws its drinking water from groundwater sources — Deschutes River & wells. Groundwater typically requires less treatment than surface water because the earth acts as a natural filter. The tradeoff: dissolved minerals from underground rock formations, which is why mineral content varies by aquifer depth and geology. The geological profile determines hardness, iron, and trace mineral levels. The system serves 38,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request City of Redmond Water's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by City of Redmond Water in Redmond, OR, including ZIP codes:
97730, 97734, 97741, 97753, 97756, 97759, 97760, 97761
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Redmond to Other Oregon Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Redmond Water
Is Redmond tap water safe to drink?
Where does Redmond's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Redmond?
What are disinfection byproducts in Redmond's water?
Is chromium-6 in Redmond's water?
Can I drink Redmond tap water straight from the faucet?
How does Redmond compare to the Oregon average?
What water filter is best for Redmond?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.